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Rangeland-Pasture Recommendations <br /> Perennial Pepperweed Identification and <br /> Management <br /> Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) is a non-native perennial plant that <br /> ' spreads by seeds and creeping underground roots that vigorously produce new <br /> plants. Seed production is prolific in heavily infested areas,estimated at 6 billion <br /> seeds per acre. The first basal leaves emerge to form a rosette. The leaves have <br /> ' long stems, are gray-green and can be 4 to 11 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide. <br /> The rosettes produce plants of multiple, erect, semi-woody stems with smaller <br /> ' leaves that taper toward the base and have a prominent whitish mid-vein. The <br /> leaves become progressively smaller toward the top of the stems. Flowers are <br /> white with 4 spoon-shaped petals borne in dense clusters near the stem tips. <br /> ' Perennial pepperweed is a member of the Mustard family. Although an <br /> enormous amount of seed is produced, most new plants are shoots from the <br /> underground root mass. The roots enlarge at the soil line forming woody <br /> ' crowns. Each crown produces numerous erect stems that grow 2 to 4 feet tall; 6 <br /> feet can be achieved under optimal conditions. Root fragments as small as 2 <br /> inches can produce a new plant. Perennial pepperweed roots can remain <br /> ' dormant in the soil for several years. Flowering occurs from early summer to fall. <br /> The combination of seed production and root shoots enables perennial <br /> pepperweed to develop into dense monocultures that dis lace native lants and <br /> ' wildlife. <br /> Afield of perennial f <br /> pepperweed. <br /> t <br /> Perennial pepperweed can be found in riparian areas and wetlands, <br /> ' adapts to disturbed areas,roadsides and ditches, hay meadows and cropland. <br /> Perennial pepperweed is often confused with hoary cress. Hoary cress stems are <br /> less than 3 feet tall and have stem leaves with lobed ears that clasp the stem. <br /> Perennial pepperweed has smaller leaves that taper toward the base and have a <br /> prominent whitish mid-vein. <br /> Management programs must include prevention, monitoring, and <br /> ' treatment of small satellite populations before plants develop extensive roots. <br /> Focus on containment of large infestations to prevent spread. <br />